Upgrade of the Burns Unit

The Burns Ward (Ward C2) at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital is the only specialised burns centre treating children with burn injuries in the Western Cape. It is the only dedicated, specialist paediatric burns unit in Africa. More than 1300 children with burns are treated at the Hospital as in–patients every year – with many more on an out–patient basis. 98% of these sick children come from disadvantaged communities and 70% of these little patients are younger than six. They are referred from all over South Africa, Africa and in rare instances, the rest of the world.

The current Burns Ward is the original ward built along with the Hospital in 1956. As modern needs and medical techniques have changed it is now outdated regarding its vital equipment and functionality. A few problems with the present ward are that there is only one high care ward, infection control measures are difficult in big wards and a there is a lack of facilities for parents who stay at their, often traumatized, children's bedsides. The list goes on.

The Burns Unit at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital has achieved medical breakthroughs in the treatment of burns in children. Children treated at the Hospital are given world class clinical management. The philosophy is to provide the best possible medical, surgical and nursing care with the shortest hospitalisation, using the most modern treatment methods, providing the best training and teaching of all categories of staff and families, with active involvement in research as well as rehabilitation.

The Unit has a focus on pain management and a functional therapy programme encompassing art, music, aromatherapy, reflexology & cultural therapy as part of the healing process. The work of psychologists and social workers forms another essential part of the Burns Rehabilitation Programme to help disfigured children and their families re–integrate into society.

Given the nature of the patient load, varied patient type and activity in C2, an upgrade is critical.

For more information about this project please email cht@chtrust.org.za

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